n8n vs Zapier: Which Automation Tool is Right for You?

Choosing between n8n and Zapier? Both are excellent automation platforms, but they serve different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which tool is right for your workflow automation requirements.

Overview

Zapier is the market leader in no-code automation, known for its ease of use and extensive app ecosystem. n8n is an open-source alternative that offers more flexibility and control, especially for technical users.

Feature Comparison

Pricing

Zapier: Starts at $29.99/month for 750 tasks. Premium plans can cost $103.50/month or more.

n8n Cloud: Starts at €20/month for 2,500 executions.

Self-Hosted n8n (via ranx.cloud): Just $9/month with unlimited executions.

Integrations

Zapier: 6,000+ app integrations

n8n: 400+ integrations, plus the ability to create custom integrations

Customization

Zapier: Limited customization through built-in formatters and filters

n8n: Full JavaScript support for custom logic, HTTP requests, and data manipulation

Data Privacy

Zapier: Data flows through Zapier's servers

n8n (Self-Hosted): Complete control - your data never leaves your infrastructure

When to Choose Zapier

• You need the simplest possible setup
• You require integrations with niche applications
• Your team is completely non-technical
• You prefer a fully managed cloud solution

When to Choose n8n

• You want unlimited executions at a fixed cost
• Data privacy and control are critical
• You need custom integrations or complex logic
• You want to avoid vendor lock-in with open-source software
• Your workflows require advanced data transformation

Cost Analysis Example

Let's say you run 10,000 workflow executions per month:

• Zapier: ~$103.50/month (Professional plan)
• n8n Cloud: ~€50/month
• ranx.cloud: $9/month (unlimited executions)

Migration from Zapier to n8n

Many users successfully migrate from Zapier to n8n. While there's no automatic migration tool, most workflows can be rebuilt in n8n within a few hours, often with improved performance and more features.